Cutting Red Tape in Planning
Minister’s Recommendations
In February this year, the CMPA put a submission to the DSE regarding their investigation on how red tape can be cut in the planning system within Victoria. The CMPA’s submission used much of the information learned at the Work Plan Workshop held in 2005 and was able to draw upon examples detailed for the submission to the review of the Extractive Industries Development Act.
October saw Minister Carbines release fifteen recommended actions in response to the investigation.
In summary, these are:
- Introduce a code access track
- Expand e-planning capacity
- Refine referrals
- Align notification and review with impact
- Promote efficient decision-making
- Reduce amendment time frames and documentation
- Remove unnecessary matters
- Review targeted VPP provisions
- Make State policy more relevant to local decision making
- Make local planning policy stronger
- Develop skills
- Share resources
- Improve enforcement capacity
- The Planning and Environment Act 1987
- Update planning fee
As can be seen, none of these strategies will directly affect the CMPA or its Members.
Although it is not yet clear, some of the points may result in changes for good such as:
- Establishment of expert teams to advise councils
- Changes to the notification requirements
- Refining referrals and include a ‘deemed consent’ if no response in 21 days
We will continue monitoring this issue over the coming months.
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